Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

As the government shutdown continues and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds remain frozen, Catholic Charities of Central Florida is seeing a rise in families seeking help at its eight food pantry locations. The organization has called on local parishes and schools to collect food donations to address the growing need.

Deacon Gary Tester, president of Catholic Charities, noted that some communities were already prepared for increased demand. Good Shepherd Parish had a donation ready, Bishop Moore Catholic School started a food drive, and St. Joseph Parish encouraged parishioners affected by reduced benefits to visit their pantry. Deacon Tester emphasized the importance of these efforts: “I would say here, we’re probably more impacted because our economy is based in large part on tourism,” he said. “Tourism is supported by lower paying jobs. Folks who are working are still reliant on SNAP benefits to help them. So, I suspect we are impacted here more than other areas might be.”

SNAP is the country’s largest anti-hunger program and mainly serves seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities. While there have been discussions about restoring some funds and resuming payments partially, uncertainty over eligibility has added confusion for many recipients.

Catholic Charities operations manager Deacon Wilmar Rojas and food ministry manager Juan Vega are working to manage incoming donations from schools and parishes by securing warehouse space and increasing appointment slots for those seeking assistance. Deacon Rojas reported an increase in requests for mobile food drops beyond traditional Catholic outreach: “We’ve also received more inquiries for mobile food drops, outside the Catholic scope,” he said. “We were called to see if we could assist with a mobile drop at the airport for TSA workers. They’re reaching out to us outside our ecosystem.” He urged those able to donate cash: “We purchase food at .29 cents a pound, whether it’s a can of tuna or fresh, refrigerated chicken,” he said. “Good luck trying to find that in a grocery store, but we will take anything.”

This year, instead of providing turkeys for Thanksgiving, Catholic Charities decided to focus resources on buying more staple foods so they can serve more families.

Juan Vega oversees eight mission markets across the diocese and reported that one Orlando pantry went from feeding 300 families per week before the shutdown to serving up to 100 additional families weekly afterward—a trend he expects will worsen as SNAP benefits remain paused.

The St. Joseph’s Multi-Ministry Service Center in Lakeland has been especially affected due to serving a large homeless population; it assisted 330 extra families in October alone.

Vega participates in Second Harvest’s steering committee coordinating efforts among agencies countywide: “Right now, we want to target everyone together,” said Vega. “Rather than adding hours, we are highlighting who distributes when so we can spread everybody evenly throughout the county,” so no agency is depleted. “We are doing critical purchasing of grains and pasta to stock up so we can serve those who come to our door,” he said adding the agencies are also sharing staff and volunteer manpower to meet demand.

“We just don’t know what we don’t know. I’ve been a big advocate of peace and having everybody stay calm —to control what we have control over so when things happen, we can ‘MacGyver’ ourselves,” Vega added.

An estimated half million people in central Florida have lost access to SNAP benefits during this period. Despite daunting numbers, Vega remains optimistic: “We’re assuring we have the food to continue helping our friends and neighbors,” he said.

Leidy Rivas directs Catholic Charities’ Culture of Life Office and says single mothers relying on SNAP face greater challenges obtaining formula or baby food amid this crisis: “The need has grown significantly over the past several months, with increasing numbers of families coming to us for essentials like diapers and formula, highlighting the increasing challenges parents face in caring for their children,” Rivas said. She noted that her office’s Walking with Moms in Need ministry began five years ago but now serves not only referred clients but any family needing assistance with essentials or financial support.

Families are traveling from Osceola, Brevard, and Volusia counties—part of the Diocese of Orlando, which was established in 1968 under Bishop James Noonan—to seek help in Orlando as they struggle without SNAP support.

“The stories shared by many of these families are both moving and heartbreaking, reminding us of the ongoing struggles faced by parents striving to care for their little ones,” Rivas said. She stressed nonprofits’ role: “nonprofits play a crucial role in filling the gap.” Her office is working with parishes across several counties within the diocese—which includes Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter,and Volusia Counties—to expand ministries supporting mothers in need.

Deacon Tester likened his agency’s work during this crisis period as similar Simon helping Jesus carry His cross: “We’re reminded the Lord says if you want to be with Him,pick up your cross dailyand follow Him.Thisisacrossthatmanyfamiliesarebeingaskedtocarry.ThebeautifulpartisjustlikeSimonwascalledtocarrrythecrossfortheLord–CatholicCharitiesandotheragenciesareheretohelpcarrythecrossoffooduncertaintyandfoodinsecurity–throughthegeneroussupportofourparishesandschools.”